SANTA ANA, California – A California woman, Courtney Pandolfi, has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for a tragic crash that resulted in the death of a 23-year-old pregnant woman and left her baby in critical condition. Pandolfi, 44, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder earlier this year as the case was set to go to trial, according to reports by the Orange County Register.
Prosecutors stated that Pandolfi, while under the influence of a mix of drugs including cocaine and methamphetamine, drove her Jeep SUV onto a sidewalk in Anaheim in August 2020. This reckless act resulted in the death of Yesenia Aguilar, who was eight months pregnant at the time. Aguilar’s husband, James Alvarez, who was with her during the incident, luckily escaped injury.
Despite the tragic loss of Aguilar, her daughter, Adalyn Rose, was surgically delivered and managed to survive. Adalyn Rose, now 3 years old, has been thriving despite the circumstances. Pandolfi had a history of driving under the influence convictions dating back to 2008, 2015, and 2016, and had received warnings about the consequences of her actions in the past.
In addition to pleading guilty for causing Aguilar’s death, Pandolfi also confessed to driving under the influence of a cocktail of drugs in November 2019, including methamphetamine and morphine. She also admitted to possessing and using illegal drugs while in prison awaiting trial. This pattern of dangerous behavior ultimately led to the tragic outcome that claimed Aguilar’s life.
Following the sentencing, James Alvarez, holding his daughter Adalyn Rose, expressed his belief that his late wife’s final thoughts were focused on their daughter’s survival. Alvarez reflected on the second chance at life he had been given and vowed to advocate for victims of drunk driving accidents. The devastating impact of Pandolfi’s actions serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of driving under the influence and the importance of taking responsibility for one’s choices behind the wheel.